‘Theindian EXPRESS Da WV ENDTESSINCL COTY] FinMin opposes | move to raise SC judges’ retirement age — ainst ent, nga _MANEESHCHHIBBER ‘NEW DELHI, APRIL 7 HE Law and Justice "Titec creme te feltment age of judges of Stpreme Court and High ‘Courts by three years has Fu nt rough weather, ith the Union Ftanee Ministry refusing to clear the pro- posal insofar asapen court Judges are concerned "The Lay Minty is now learn to have fered plan that was abmed at at Frating better talent fom the Bat to the Bench Ae” ording to sources in the Minty, the propos was to Incense the retrement see of Supreme ‘Court jes fom the cerent 65 {0-68 yen, and thove of Tigh Cour judges fom 62 1065 year, Wile th Finance Min istry has not opposed the mmovetoinreaie he retie ment age of High Cour ages, has sid thatthe retirement age for. SC judges shold remain ato ear" sa Law Ministry Ser. Sources sid the Fr nance Minis, niet has given no reason fr mo supporting the move On Math 10208 Union Law Miner Hans. Ra ‘Bhardwaj had told the Re- {va Sabha thatthe Govern ‘ment was examining pro posal 1 inerease the retirement age of Judges. of the Supreme Court and the High Couris. The Puslia ‘mentary Standing Commit- fecon Law, Justice and Per- sonnel heated by Congress MP DrEMS Natehiappan has also recommended that the retirement age of judges ‘of High Courts be inereased to6Syears. This, the committee ob- setved, wold also facilitate the availabilty of experi- enced judges for elevation ‘o the Supreme Court. The Justice Venkatachaliah Committee that reviewed {Hhe working of the Constitue tion, had also recom ‘mended the same in 2002, ‘A senior officer of the Law Ministry told. The In- dian Expres that the deci sion not to pursue the mat- ter-it would have required either passage of an amend- ment bill by the the Parl ‘mentor issuance of an orl nance by the Central government - was taken by Minister Bharciwa “But, we wil Uy to com- vince tie Finance Ministry aftr the elections,” the of ficer sid. 36+